Stanton is a great hitter in a bad environment...Fister is another wananbe that we can replace with Smyly or Alverez. ITS NOW TIME!

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You need 4 solid pitchers in the playoffs (JV, Max, Sanchez, Fister). The other three (Smyly, Alverez, Porcello) could all be moved with little negative impact. Coke getting moved would be a positive impact irregardless of what comes back.

Had an opportunity to closely watch Verlander today and listen to the comments of the TBS analysts (Ron Darling and John Smoltz, both former pitchers). They think Verlander is keeping something extra for the playoffs, which is why he is only topping out at 93-94 mph. But then they went on to say that they think he is trying to become more of a pitcher a la Greg Maddux rather than a thrower. This is all fine and good if his control is pinpoint and he changes speeds and batters' eye levels effectively. Today he did that and kept the Rangers off-balance all day. But it seems like he is walking a fine line here. He goes pretty deep in counts and goes 3-2 a lot on hitters. He is definitely a different pitcher. It's almost like a golfer going through swing changes.